Chapter 11: The System Has Opinions
414 Words
The conference room was tense.
Evelyn sat calmly at the table, hands folded, while three executives argued loudly across from her. Charts were projected on the wall, voices rising, tempers slipping.
One of them—middle-aged, smug, and far too confident—leaned back in his chair.
“Miss Ashford,” he said, smiling like he’d already won, “you’re overestimating your position.”
Evelyn met his gaze without blinking.
System: Wow. He really said that with his whole chest.
She almost smiled.
“I don’t overestimate,” Evelyn replied evenly. “I calculate.”
The man scoffed. “You’re young. Inexperienced. This isn’t a game.”
System: Says the man who thinks shouting is a strategy.
Evelyn lowered her gaze to the documents, buying herself a second.
Behave, she warned internally.
System: I am behaving. I could be worse.
Lucian sat beside her, silent, watching everything. He didn’t interrupt. He didn’t rescue her.
He trusted her.
That thought settled warm and dangerous in her chest.
The executive leaned forward. “If you push this deal, you’ll lose everything.”
Evelyn looked up slowly.
“Then don’t follow me,” she said simply.
The room went quiet.
System: Oof. That one hurt. Ten out of ten delivery.
Lucian’s lips twitched.
The man’s face reddened. “You think Vale will back you?”
Evelyn didn’t look at Lucian.
She didn’t need to.
“I don’t think,” she said. “I know.”
Lucian finally spoke. “She’s right.”
The executive stiffened.
System: Look at that. Tall, rich, and on your side. Nice.
Evelyn inhaled carefully.
The meeting ended shortly after—decisively.
As they walked down the hallway, Lucian glanced at her. “You almost laughed back there.”
“Almost,” Evelyn admitted.
System: I saw it. Tiny smile. Very cute. You’re welcome.
She stopped walking.
You’re enjoying this too much.
System: Obviously. I waited a whole rebirth for entertainment.
Lucian turned to face her fully. “You did well.”
The praise was quiet. Genuine.
Evelyn met his eyes. “So did you.”
For a moment, neither moved.
System: Just saying… this would be a great time to get coffee together.
Evelyn exhaled slowly.
Lucian raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“Nothing,” she said, then paused. “Actually—coffee sounds fine.”
Lucian smiled faintly.
And in her mind, the system cheered.
System: YES. Progress.
Evelyn shook her head, but she didn’t fight it.
Not this time.
- Writer
